James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here a little after 11 p.m. It is heartening to see her here so late to talk about this issue, which she knows is a major problem in my area, the constituency of Cork East. We need to see an enhancement of facilities for the elderly in the east Cork area. The area is growing rapidly. It has a certain characteristic. Unlike many parts of the country, we are lucky to have a beautiful coastline. There are towns in the area to which people come to retire in later life. Youghal in County Cork is an important example of such a town. Those who come to the area are in addition to the thousands of retired people already living across the east Cork area. However, there are no day care services for the elderly in Youghal. I know that the Minister of State's Department and the area in which she has responsibility has been provided with a significant amount of funding to provide such services and facilities. I am here tonight to ask the Department to identify the potential in Youghal for an enhanced service for elderly people, particularly through the provision of a day care service.

We are lucky to have diligent workers in our healthcare settings in Youghal and Midleton, the two primary towns of the east Cork municipal district. I am conscious that there are people who need that support and who may not have the full independence and luxury of being in their own homes, which many people are deeply fortunate to enjoy right up until their passing. Many people have that independence into their 90s. However, we must remember those who need a bit of company and support. They might not have children to look after them. They might not have large families. We must ensure there is wraparound support for them. That is why these services are so vital. It is also worth looking at the areas in which these services are provided. They are fundamentally positive services that the State provides and I have never had a complaint from those who partake of them in other areas where they are available.

The Minister of State, because of her hard work in this area, will be aware of why this is so important. I would like to see some focus on this issue. I know that such a service would have an enormous impact in Youghal. The Minister of State's constituency is just over the border in Waterford, across the Blackwater River from Youghal town. We are looking across at the Déise from Youghal town. There are many people in that area who would benefit from such a service. People in places such as Ardmore, Clashmore and Knockanore, which are areas in the Minister of State's constituency and she serves them well, must travel a greater distance to Dungarvan or Lismore, which are the next closest towns. They are part of the Youghal community. Their children and grandchildren have gone to schools in Youghal and they are part of our wider community despite being in a different county and Dáil constituency. We have a mutual interest that this problem is identified and tackled. From a health infrastructure point of view, Youghal feels a little neglected. I am here tonight to advocate on the town's behalf and to see if this is a matter with which the Minister of State could help.

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